Berlusconi sentenced to seven years

Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has been found guilty of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and abusing his Prime Ministerial position to cover it up.

Milan President SilvioBerlusconi has been found guilty of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and abusing his Prime Ministerial position to cover it up.

A court in the city today sentenced the 76-year-old to seven years in prison, as well as a lifetime ban on holding public office.

The Rossoneri chief however, has denied the allegations and will appeal the verdict. Such sentences in Italy are only enforced once they are definite – a process which could take years.

Berlusconi was not in Milan today to hear the verdict, but was found guilty of paying for sex with Karima el-Mahroug in 2010, who was 17 at the time. Judges also found that the politician had pressured the Milanese police into releasing Miss Mahroug, after she had been arrested on suspicion of theft.